I initially wanted to write a satirical piece on this but the satire was already in the piece itself. Here’s what happened…
On Friday July 17th, President Muhammadu Buhari was leaving the National Mosque when he was rushed by youths excited to see their President (who can blame them, if I saw Malcolm Gladwell I’ll do the same) … but with anything involving large crowds things can get messy quickly. And that’s what almost happened. In the words of the President…
“…after the prayers, I think I was bombarded by the youths who almost overwhelmed the security, and I had to hold tight to my gown to get to my car. I was advised to enter the car from the ADC side and I refused.
I went across trying to wave my hand to the wild youths who wanted to see me.
On an occasion like this, it shows that after what happened to President Ronald Reagan of the USA, it is only God Almighty that protects leaders because in a mob like this, anybody with a sharp knife can get access and do a lot of damage. So, all the policemen that were deployed and soldiers since six o’ clock in the morning, before I came out two hours later in the rains, cannot protect you, only God protects. I hope God will continue to protect us.”
– President Muhammadu Buhari
After reading this paragraph I wanted to scream “please God, not again.” But calling on God to appeal to him to stop allowing leaders to use and abuse his name is quite ironic!
Honestly, I was really hoping that Buhari will be different. That he would be a pragmatic leader that would be able to draw the line between reality and fantasy. But alas I think I was wrong…
This is a President who against advice to the contrary decided to abruptly replace the DSS (an organization with the professional capability, capacity and constitutional responsibility of providing protection to the President) with the Army.
And to make matters worse, on said day of this incident, he refused to follow instructions of his newly assembled quasi-security detail. An act which almost put him at risk of getting mobbed by an out of control crowd. Incidents of which both are key security errors … but instead of admitting/addressing the security lapses, the President turned around and said … it was God that protected him and only God can protect. Is he serious?
Such responses have become a staple part of Nigerian bullshit. Because they cover up the key issues, cover up the inexperience of the army, and covers up the President’s ill-advised decision to not listen to his security. And I am sure no investigation will happen because as we all know ….
“Only God protects. I hope God will continue to protect us.” – President Muhammadu Buhari
Okechukwu Ofili is an author, speaker, and blogger and a The Trent Elite Voice. Follow him on twitter, Facebook or subscribe to his blog for more honest talk and as @ofilispeaks on instagram for more sketches!
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
